Commemorative Medal

Paul Manship, Commemorative Medal, 1919, bronze with gold patina, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.86
Copied Paul Manship, Commemorative Medal, 1919, bronze with gold patina, 3 1⁄8 in. (8.0 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.86

Artwork Details

Title
Commemorative Medal
Artist
Date
1919
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 1⁄8 in. (8.0 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze with gold patina
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — porpoise
  • Object — other — cornucopia
  • Figure group — female — nude
Object Number
1965.16.86
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1965.16.86

Artwork Description

Paul Manship’s uniface artist’s sample represents the reverse of a finished medal commemorating the visit to the United States in 1919 of Dr. Epitacio M. Pessoa, president-elect of Brazil (see 1965.16.84). Dr. Pessoa arrived in New York City, then traveled to Boston and Washington, D.C., in ceremonial appearances meant to solidify relations between Brazil and the United States. On the reverse of the finished medal, a freighter riding the waves symbolizes the raw materials (rubber, oil, and rope fiber) provided to the United States by its trading partner.